Templepatrick on course to deliver goal

Templepatrick Cricket Club officials are delighted with the senior side’s performance this season.

“This is our second season at Senior League Section 1 level and although we field probably the youngest side in the league we are sitting joint-top,” said coach, Andy McCrea.

“Our overseas player, Bob Homani, has settled in well as a wicketkeeper batsman and he encourages and inspires the younger players who are benefiting from his coaching.

“Last season our main aim was to ensure that we were not immediately relegated and having achieved a mid-table finish. The aim this season is to consolidate our position and we are on course to deliver.

“Approaching the halfway stage we share pole position with Carrick, Lurgan and Cliftonville, but in a highly competitive league only two wins separate the top teams and the one in eighth position; a couple of defeats could sent us plunging down the table, so there is no room for complacency,” he cautioned.

“Owing to us sharing facilities with Ballyclare Rugby Club, we have to vacate The Cloughan in mid-August, so the final half-dozen matches will all be away from home and that will be a testing time,” added Andy.

Two of the club’s most talented teenagers, Belfast Royal Academy students Ross Bryans and Jordi Fettis, played for the Ulster Schools this season and then young all-rounder Bryans progressed to being selected for the Ireland Schools’ team.

The Second XI occupy a respectable mid-table Junior League Section 2 position, but Bob Wasson’s very young 3rd XI are struggling in their section.

Templepatrick U15s maintained their title challenge with a fine win by 35 runs against Muckamore.